Awning



Nov. 27, 1951 H. P. SPRADL ING AWNING Filed Aug. 3, 1946 HERBERT F? SPRADLING INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 27, x 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,576,422 AWNING Herbert P. Spradling, Dallas, Tex.

Application'August 3, 1946, Serial No. 688,202

. 2 Claims. (Cl. 20-575) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in awnings.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved awning ofsimple, durable construction, which has an unusually pleasing appearance and which retains such appearance for an indefinite period of time.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved awning of the well-known ventilated type which is of novel construction in that the means for spacing its overlapping slats are non-visible and do not detract from the appearance of said awning.

An important object of the invention is toprovide an improved awning which isformed of metal or other durable material which is nondeteriorating and which will retain its shape so as to be substantially permanent.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved awning, of the character described, I

wherein the overlapping slats are fastened to each other as well as to transverse supports, thereby producing a rigid unitary assembly which will withstand winds of high velocity as well as other detrimental weather conditions.

A further object of the invention i to provide an awning, of the character described, wherein the slats are s constructed that snowand rain water is collected and directed longitudinally of said slats and thereby prevented from passing or being blown inwardly of said slats.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved awnin of the. character described, wherein the spacing means may be omitted at one or more points throughout the length of the slats to permit direct engagement of said slats and thereby reduce the passage of air through the awning.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention. 3

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following speoification'and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of an awning constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view, showing the relation of the slats and the fastening of the sections,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken longitudinally of the slats, and showing-the mounting of said slats, and

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 3, showing the use of additional spacers.

In the drawing, the numeral I0 designates an awning which includes a front or main section II and side or end sections 12 which are fastened to opposite margins of the main section. The latter includes a plurality of elongated slats or elements 13 mounted on the upper or outer surfaces of transversely extending supports or channel bars It, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It is preferable to construct the slats l3 of thin strips 0L metal or other suitable material which may be readily formed to the desired shape. The slats are spaced a substantial distance apart and are preferably curved or arced longitudinally. A plurality of similar, spaced slats l5 overlie the slats l3 and are disposed so' as to have their longitudinal margins in overlapping relation to the longitudinal margins of said slats 13, whereby the outer or upper slats l5 obstruct the spaces between the inner or lower slats l3 and said slats coact to conceal the bars M. Suitable bolts l6 extend through the overlapping margins of the slats for fastening the same to the bars and t each other,

the inner ends of the bolts receiving nuts I! which are held against rotation by engaging within the channels of said bar.

As is mostclearly shown in Fig. 2, each sla has its longitudinal margins bent outwardly, then laterally and finally inwardly substantially at right angles to provide external, coextensive ribs or flanges l8 at said marginal portions. An external, central ridge or rib I9 is formed intermediate the ribs I8 by grooving or crimping the inner or under surface of each slat. This construction not only increases the rigidity of the slats but also provides longitudinal channels or grooves 20 in the outer surfaces of the slats between the ribs to collect and conduct rain and snow water to the lower ends of said slats. Internal grooves or channels 2| are formed at the longitudinal margins of the slats by the ribs l8 for collecting and conducting any water which passes or is blown between said slats. Since the ribs I8 of adjacent slats are in overlapping relation, the same coact to provide deflectors for preventing water from being blown or passing between said slats and through the awning. The lower end of each slat is preferably rounded as shown by the numeral 22, whereby the overlapping slats provide a scalloped effect.

It is desirable to space the overlapping marginal portions of adjacent slats l3 and I5 from each other to permit the circulation of air and the passage of light rays through the awning.

or other fsuitable' material. slats to each other as wellas to theirsupporting of 1 the bars beneath the slats.

3 However, such spacing should not be sufficient to permit the rays of the sun to shine directly therethrough or permit the direct passage of rain or other moisture. For spacing the slats, suitable spacers or collars 23 are confined upon the bolts 16 between the flange I8 of each inner slat l3 and the channel 2| of the adjacent outer slat l5. As shown in Fig. 3, it is preferable for the spacers 23 to be used in conjunction only with the bolts which fasten the slats :to the intermediatb'ar M, whereby the endportions of said slats are in direct engagement with each other. However, if desired, one of the spacers may be carried by each bolt I6 so as to dispose the entire length of the slats in spaced relation as shown in Fig. 4. Manifestly, the use of the spacers ts optional and the same may be eliminated or used at any desired point.

Each side or end section l2 include transverse supports or channel bars zd, similar to the channel bars I4, and one of the bars is curved to :21 *and nuts 28 so as to extend substantially vertical. :slats 'ZE-and 28 is preferably the same as that The construction and formation of the of the slats I3 and 15, having similar rounded lower ends- 29and, iidesir ed,rbeing maintained in spaced relation by similar spacers or collars 30 which are carried by certain of the bolts :21

between said slats. Suitable angular brackets 31 connect'the side criend sections to the main or front section. .For supporting the awning,

an angular bracket or hanger 32 is carried by certain of the uppermost bolts it and is fastened thereto by *a suitable nut 33 as-shown inyFigs.

'3 and 4.

. As has beenhereinbeforeset forth, the'awning is preferably constructed entirely of metal so as to provide a light weight, durablestructure. However, it :is possible to 'employ: plastics By fastening the bars, a rigid unitary assembly is provided'and said-bars are concealed fromxexternal view by the-overlapping ofsaid slats and the positioning The useofwthin metallic strips in constructing the slats permit the forming ofthesameto provide drain-chanlids and deflecting, flanges, the formation of which increases the rigidity of said slats; and 'enhancesthe appearance ofthe same. Although the awning may be formed of corrosion-resistant material, the same are adapted to be painted :any'desired color or color combination. It is pointed outthat the curvatureof the main .or

front section II issubject to variation-and that p the same may be used in conjunction withinore upon the bolts I6 between the ribs l8 of adjacent slats, the channel 2| of the outer slat receives said spacers and substantially conceals the same.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or the invention.

What I claimi'and desireto secure -by Letters Patent is I 1. An awning including, a plurality of parallel slats having their longitudinal margins over- :lapping each other, a plurality of bars extending transversely of the slats and underlying the *same, said slats being formed of elongate strips of thin metal, upstanding, inwardly-directed channels coextensive with the longitudinal margins of each slat, an upstanding, longitudinal rib intermediate the marginal channels of each slat; said channels and ribs providing longitudinal drain channels therebetween in the outer surfaces of said slats,.-fastening meansextending through and securing the overlapping .mar- .-ginal-channels to'each other and to the bars,

and spacers on the fastening, means between said overlapping channels and snugly engaging in the overlapping channels of the outer slats to .spacesaid slats from the inner slats and .increase the rigidity ofzthe awning. V

2. awning including, .a I plurality of 1 parallel .slats having overlapping longitudinal -margins,

snugly engagingin thetoverlapping channels of the outer slatstospace the intermediate portions .of the overlapping slats from eachother and increase the rigid-ityof the awning.

HERBERT P. SPRADLING,

-REFERENCES CITED The following .zreferences are-of record in th'e file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number .Name ,Date M Re. 20,975 Houseman .Jan. 10,1939 Re.-2l,053 Matthews 'Apr..18, 1-939 2,117,320 Hawley Mayl'l, i938 2,256,941 Crawford Sept. 23,4942 2,442,891 Harrison'et al. .June 8, .1948

Kadleck June 7,1949 

